5 Pregnancy Prep Supplements I Chose Before Trying to Conceive
Finding the right pregnancy prep supplements wasn’t as easy as I expected. Once my husband and I started talking about trying for a baby, I quickly realized there was so much information out there about preconception health and supplements. Between Google searches, recommendations from friends and family, and advice from healthcare professionals, it honestly felt a little overwhelming.
After doing a lot of research, I decided to purchase five supplements that seemed to be the most commonly recommended for both women and men during the preconception stage. I haven’t started taking them yet, so this isn’t a review or a list of personal results.
Instead, I wanted to put together a simple guide for anyone who, like me, is just starting their pregnancy journey and wondering which supplements are commonly recommended, what they do, and why I chose these particular brands. I hope this post makes researching pregnancy prep supplements a little easier for you.
Thorne Basic Prenatal for Women
Why I Chose It
When my husband and I decided it was finally time to start preparing for pregnancy, I thought I just needed to find a good folate supplement. But after spending way too much time researching (and reading what felt like a million articles 😅), I realized there was a lot more to it.
A good prenatal isn’t just about folate. It usually includes other important nutrients like iron, vitamin D, iodine, choline, and several B vitamins that support your body before and during pregnancy.
I really didn’t want to buy five or six different supplements right away, so I started looking for a prenatal that covered most of the basics in one bottle.
After comparing a few different brands, I decided to go with Thorne Basic Prenatal.
One thing I really liked is that it contains 5-MTHF, the active form of folate, instead of regular folic acid. It also includes iron, choline, vitamin D, and a variety of other vitamins and minerals that are commonly recommended during pregnancy.
Another reason I chose it was the brand itself. Thorne kept coming up over and over while I was doing my research, and it seemed to have a great reputation for quality.
I haven’t actually started taking it yet, so this isn’t a review. I just wanted to share why I picked it and what I learned along the way in case you’re researching pregnancy supplements too.
What It Helps With
One thing I learned while researching prenatal vitamins is that they’re meant to help fill nutritional gaps before and during pregnancy. Of course, eating a healthy, balanced diet is still the goal, but getting every nutrient you need from food alone isn’t always easy.
One of the biggest reasons prenatal vitamins are recommended is because of folate. Folate helps support DNA synthesis and healthy cell division, which are especially important during the earliest stages of pregnancy. Since the baby’s neural tube starts developing very early—often before you even know you’re pregnant—getting enough folate before trying to conceive is widely recommended.
This prenatal also contains iron, which helps your body make healthy red blood cells and carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron needs naturally increase during pregnancy, which is why you’ll find it in most prenatal vitamins.
Another ingredient I was happy to see is choline. Choline supports normal cell function and plays an important role in early brain and nervous system development. Surprisingly, not every prenatal vitamin includes it, so I thought it was a nice bonus.
It also contains vitamin D along with several other vitamins and minerals that support overall health before and during pregnancy.
For me, having all of these nutrients in one supplement just felt easier than trying to keep track of several different bottles every day.
Brand Highlights
Before buying any supplement, I always like to learn a little about the company behind it.
Thorne is a U.S.-based supplement brand that’s well known for focusing on high-quality ingredients and science-backed formulations. While I was researching prenatal vitamins, it was one of the brands I saw recommended the most—not just by other people preparing for pregnancy, but also by many healthcare professionals.
I also liked that this prenatal uses 5-MTHF as its source of folate and includes iron bisglycinate, a form of iron that’s commonly used in supplements.
Everyone has different needs, but I felt confident choosing Thorne because of its overall reputation and commitment to quality.
Quick Summary
✔ Complete prenatal multivitamin
✔ Includes active folate (5-MTHF)
✔ Contains iron, choline, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients
✔ Made for women who are trying to conceive, pregnant, or breastfeeding
✔ A convenient all-in-one formula
✔ One of the brands I came across most often while researching prenatal supplements
Seeking Health Methyl B12 + L-Methylfolate for My Husband
Why We Chose It
One thing I learned while preparing for pregnancy is that it’s not just about the mom-to-be. My husband wanted to be part of the process too, so we started looking into supplements that are commonly included in a preconception routine for both women and men.
After comparing a few different options, we decided to add Seeking Health Methyl B12 with L-Methylfolate to his daily routine.
What really stood out to us was that it uses L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) instead of regular folic acid. It also includes two active forms of vitamin B12—methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin—which work together with folate to support several important functions in the body.
I also liked how simple the formula is. Instead of including a long list of ingredients, it focuses on a few key nutrients, which is exactly what we were looking for.
Just like the other supplements in this post, this isn’t a review since my husband hasn’t started taking it yet. I simply wanted to share why we chose it and what I learned while comparing different folate supplements.
What It Helps With
Folate isn’t only important for women—it’s an essential nutrient for men as well.
It plays an important role in DNA synthesis, healthy cell division, and red blood cell production, making it an important nutrient for overall health.
This supplement also provides vitamin B12, which works closely with folate in the body. Vitamin B12 helps support normal nerve function, healthy red blood cell production, and energy metabolism.
One thing I found interesting is that this product contains two active forms of vitamin B12—methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin—instead of just one.
Since folate and vitamin B12 work together in many normal biological processes, I thought this combination made a lot of sense as part of my husband’s preconception supplement routine.
Brand Highlights
Before buying any supplement, I always like to learn a little about the company behind it.
Seeking Health is a U.S.-based supplement company founded by Dr. Ben Lynch. The brand is best known for using bioavailable forms of nutrients and creating simple, thoughtfully formulated supplements.
One thing that caught my attention is that many of its products use active forms of vitamins, like L-methylfolate (5-MTHF) and methylcobalamin, instead of more traditional forms.
I also appreciated that this supplement focuses on just two key nutrients—folate and vitamin B12—without adding a lot of unnecessary extras.
That simple, straightforward approach was one of the biggest reasons we decided to give it a try.
Quick Summary
✔ Active L-methylfolate (5-MTHF)
✔ Includes two active forms of vitamin B12
✔ Supports DNA synthesis, healthy cell division, and red blood cell production
✔ Simple, focused formula
✔ Dissolvable lozenge that slowly melts in your mouth
✔ Chosen as part of my husband’s preconception supplement routine
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega (For Both of Us)
Why I Chose It
After picking out my prenatal vitamins, the next supplement on my list was an omega-3.
As I kept reading about pregnancy nutrition, one nutrient seemed to come up over and over again—DHA. Since I don’t eat fish very often, I figured an omega-3 supplement would be an easy way to make sure I was getting enough.
I looked at quite a few different brands before deciding on Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. It was one of the products I saw recommended the most, and I liked that the company puts a strong focus on ingredient quality and purity.
Another thing that stood out to me was the amount of EPA and DHA packed into just two soft gels. I also appreciated that it’s made in triglyceride (TG) form and comes with a natural lemon flavor, since fish oil isn’t exactly known for tasting great!
Like the other supplements I’m sharing in this post, I haven’t started taking this one yet. This isn’t meant to be a review—it’s simply the omega-3 I chose after spending a lot of time comparing different options.
What It Helps With
Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats that our bodies need but can’t produce in enough amounts on their own. That’s why we have to get them from foods like fatty fish or from supplements.
The two most well-known omega-3s are EPA and DHA, and they each play different roles in supporting overall health.
DHA is especially important during pregnancy because it contributes to the normal development of a baby’s brain and eyes. It’s one of the reasons omega-3 supplements are so commonly recommended for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
EPA helps support heart health and works together with DHA throughout the body.
Since seafood isn’t a regular part of my diet, adding an omega-3 supplement felt like a practical way to help fill that nutritional gap.
Brand Highlights
One thing I always do before buying a supplement is look into the company behind it.
Nordic Naturals is one of the best-known omega-3 brands in the U.S., and it has built a strong reputation for producing high-quality fish oil supplements.
I also learned that Ultimate Omega is made from wild-caught small fish, like anchovies and sardines, and uses omega-3s in their natural triglyceride (TG) form. The company also states that every batch is tested for purity and freshness, which gave me a little more confidence in choosing it.
And if you’ve ever taken fish oil before, you probably know the fishy aftertaste can be the worst part. 😅 I liked that this one has a natural lemon flavor, which is designed to help make it a little more pleasant to take.
Overall, it checked all the boxes I was looking for, and it felt like a great choice for my pregnancy prep routine.
Quick Summary
✔ High-strength omega-3 with EPA and DHA
✔ Triglyceride (TG) form
✔ Made from wild-caught anchovies and sardines
✔ Third-party tested for purity and freshness
✔ Natural lemon flavor to help reduce fishy aftertaste
✔ One of the most trusted omega-3 brands I came across during my research
Qunol Mega CoQ10 Ubiquinol 100mg (For Both of Us)
Why We Chose It
As I was putting together my pregnancy supplement routine, CoQ10 was one of those ingredients that kept popping up everywhere.
I saw it mentioned in blog posts, YouTube videos, and even pregnancy forums, so naturally I wanted to learn more about it. While it’s not considered a must-have supplement for everyone, I found it interesting that CoQ10 plays a role in cellular energy production and has become a popular addition to many preconception routines.
After looking at several different options, we decided to go with Qunol Mega CoQ10 Ubiquinol.
One of the biggest reasons was that it contains ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10. I also liked that Qunol puts a lot of emphasis on absorption, since that’s something people seem to pay close attention to when choosing a CoQ10 supplement.
Since my husband and I are preparing for pregnancy together, we decided to add it to both of our routines.
Just like the other supplements I’m sharing in this post, this isn’t a review. We haven’t started taking it yet, but I wanted to share why we picked this one in case you’re researching CoQ10 too.
What It Helps With
CoQ10 is a compound that’s naturally found in almost every cell in the body. Its main job is helping your cells produce energy, which is why it’s especially important for organs that need a lot of it, like the heart.
It also works as an antioxidant, helping protect cells from oxidative stress.
One of the reasons CoQ10 gets so much attention during pregnancy prep is that both egg cells and sperm rely on healthy energy production. Because of that, researchers have been exploring how CoQ10 may support reproductive health.
The research is still ongoing, and there’s still a lot to learn. Rather than thinking of it as a fertility supplement, I see it as something that supports overall cellular health—which is what made me feel comfortable including it in our routine.
Brand Highlights
Whenever I’m buying a new supplement, I like to spend a little time learning about the brand first.
Qunol is one of the names that came up over and over while I was comparing different CoQ10 supplements. It’s especially well known for its ubiquinol products and its focus on absorption.
I also liked that this supplement uses the active form of CoQ10 rather than the standard form. On top of that, it’s easy to find almost anywhere, whether you’re shopping at Costco, Target, CVS, Walgreens, or Amazon.
For me, it felt like a brand that had a solid reputation, a straightforward formula, and a product that fit exactly what I was looking for.
Quick Summary
✔ Contains ubiquinol, the active form of CoQ10
✔ Supports cellular energy production
✔ Provides antioxidant support
✔ Designed with absorption in mind
✔ One of the most trusted CoQ10 brands I came across
✔ Added to both of our pregnancy prep routines
Nature Made Vitamin D3 (For Both of Us)
Why We Chose It
The last supplement we added to our routine was vitamin D.
Unlike some of the other supplements in this post, vitamin D wasn’t something I started taking just because we were preparing for pregnancy. It’s a nutrient that’s important for overall health, and while I was putting together our supplement routine, I realized it was something we probably shouldn’t overlook.
Since my husband and I both spend a lot of time indoors, adding vitamin D felt like an easy way to help support our overall health.
After looking at a few different options, we decided to go with Nature Made Vitamin D3. It’s one of those brands I’ve seen everywhere for years—Costco, Target, CVS, pretty much every pharmacy—so it already felt familiar.
I also liked that it’s simple. Each softgel provides 1,000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D3, and there’s nothing complicated about it. Since we were already adding several other supplements to our routine, I wanted something easy to take every day.
Like the other supplements I’m sharing in this post, this isn’t a review. We haven’t started taking it yet, but I wanted to include it because it became an easy addition to our pregnancy prep routine.
What It Helps With
Vitamin D is probably best known for helping the body absorb calcium, which is why it’s so important for healthy bones and teeth.
It also supports normal muscle function and plays an important role in keeping your immune system working normally.
As I learned more about pregnancy nutrition, I found out that getting enough vitamin D is important before and during pregnancy. That’s one of the reasons it’s included in many prenatal vitamins, and depending on your diet, lifestyle, or your healthcare provider’s advice, some people choose to take an additional vitamin D supplement.
Since my husband and I don’t get outside as much as we’d probably like, adding vitamin D felt like a simple way to help fill that gap.
Brand Highlights
Whenever I’m shopping for supplements, I usually spend a little time looking into the brand first.
Nature Made is one of the brands that kept coming up, and it’s been around for a long time. It’s also one of the easiest supplement brands to find, whether you’re shopping at Costco, Target, Walmart, or your local pharmacy.
One thing that gave me a little extra confidence is that many Nature Made products carry the USP Verified mark. That means the product has been independently tested to help verify things like ingredient quality, potency, and manufacturing standards.
I also appreciated how straightforward this supplement is. It’s just vitamin D3—nothing fancy, nothing unnecessary—which was exactly what I was looking for.
Quick Summary
✔ 1,000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D3
✔ Supports healthy bones, teeth, muscles, and immune function
✔ Simple once-daily softgel
✔ USP Verified
✔ Easy to find at most major retailers
✔ A trusted vitamin brand that’s been around for years
✔ Added to both of our pregnancy prep routines
Final Thoughts
Putting together a pregnancy supplement routine was honestly more overwhelming than I expected. There are so many products out there, and it can be hard to figure out which ones are actually worth buying.
The supplements I shared in this post are simply the ones my husband and I decided on after spending a lot of time researching, reading, and talking with friends and family. We chose what made the most sense for us, but everyone’s needs are a little different.
If you’re getting ready for pregnancy, I think it’s important to choose supplements based on your age, lifestyle, diet, and overall health. What works well for one person may not be the best fit for someone else, so it’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before starting anything new.
We bought all of these supplements from Amazon, but if you’re in the U.S., it’s definitely worth checking Costco too. I’ve seen several of these products there for a better price.
Hopefully sharing what we picked saves you a little time and makes your own research a bit easier. If you’re starting your pregnancy journey too, I wish you nothing but the very best. Thanks so much for reading! 💛
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start taking pregnancy supplements?
Most healthcare providers recommend starting a prenatal vitamin before trying to conceive, since a baby’s development begins very early in pregnancy.
That said, everyone’s situation is different. The best time to start depends on your health, diet, and nutritional needs, so it’s always a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider before adding any new supplements.
Do both women and men need supplements before pregnancy?
Pregnancy prep isn’t just about the mom-to-be.
Many couples choose to focus on their health together before trying to conceive, and that’s exactly what my husband and I decided to do.
The supplements we chose are simply what made the most sense for us after doing our own research. Your routine may look completely different depending on your lifestyle, diet, and individual needs.
Do I need to take all of these supplements?
Not at all.
These are simply the supplements we chose after comparing different options and learning more about each one.
Everyone’s body is different, and your supplement routine should reflect your own health, diet, and your healthcare provider’s recommendations—not someone else’s shopping list.
Can I get these nutrients from food instead?
Absolutely! A healthy, balanced diet should always come first.
That said, some nutrients can be harder to get consistently through food alone. That’s one reason prenatal vitamins and certain supplements are commonly recommended before and during pregnancy.
If you’re not sure whether you need supplements, your healthcare provider can help you decide what’s right for you.
Why did you choose these specific brands?
Honestly, I spent way too much time comparing different supplements. 😅
I read articles, watched videos, browsed reviews, and talked with friends and family before making a decision.
In the end, I looked for brands with simple ingredient lists, good reputations, and products that I felt comfortable adding to our routine.
That doesn’t mean these are the best supplements for everyone—they’re simply the ones we felt good about choosing.
Where did you buy these supplements?
We ordered all of our supplements from Amazon because it was the easiest place to compare products and ingredients.
If you’re in the U.S., I’d definitely recommend checking Costco too. I’ve seen several of these supplements there for a better price, so it’s worth comparing before you buy.
Are these the best pregnancy supplements?
Probably not—for everyone, at least.
I don’t think there’s one perfect supplement routine that works for every person or every couple.
These are simply the products my husband and I chose after doing our own research. Since we haven’t started taking them yet, this isn’t a review or a list of the “best” supplements.
I just wanted to share what we picked, why we picked it, and hopefully save you a little time if you’re doing the same research.
Should I talk to my doctor before taking supplements?
Yes—I think it’s always a good idea.
Even though most of these supplements are available over the counter, everyone’s health is different. Your age, medical history, medications, and individual nutritional needs can all affect which supplements are right for you.
If you’re planning for pregnancy, talking with your healthcare provider can help you choose a supplement routine that’s tailored to your own needs.
Disclaimer
I’m not a healthcare professional. This post is based on my own research and the supplements my husband and I chose while preparing for pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
Are you currently preparing for pregnancy? I’d love to hear which supplements you’re taking or researching. Feel free to leave a comment below! 💛